My turn now...

Any other suggestions?

 
Sex.  We tell people all the time to go home and have sex if they want to go into labor.  Triggers your natural hormones and can work if your body is ready. 
 
If you are swelling in your hands and face, and have protein, and have high blood pressure.....better to get the baby out.  Swelling in feet is normal in pregnancy, but when you see a change in your face, you know it's more than that. 
 
If you are pre-eclamptic, they will use pitocin to induce you and then I'd highly recommend an epidural!!  Don't try to tough it out because you didn't need it in the past.  Pitocin hurts and I always tell my patients, no one is waiting at the end to hand you some big award for being in pain.  Good luck with your labor and for a healthy delivery!!   

Welcome back, Shannon!  We've been wondering how you were doing.  We'll keep good thoughts that everything goes smoothly & easily for you and #3.  Be sure to keep us posted.
 
Joyce

When I said natural, I meant start labor naturally. I didn't have an epidural with my first. Wasn't much fun... But I decided to have an epidural with Kelly. I actually enjoyed that stay in the hospital more. So I'll be doing the same with this one. Whether I'm induced or not. Hopefully not...
 
The swelling in my feet is bad. To the point of cramping in my legs. My hands swell in the evening time.

ORIGINAL: hlb118
When I said natural, I meant start labor naturally. I didn't have an epidural with my first. Wasn't much fun... But I decided to have an epidural with Kelly. I actually enjoyed that stay in the hospital more. So I'll be doing the same with this one. Whether I'm induced or not. Hopefully not...

Good for you doing it (or trying to do it) naturally. I hope some day I can be that strong. Those epidurals freak me out!

I've heard walking around helps, but if you have a lot of swelling in your feet, you should probably keep them elevated. [&:] Sorry, I'm not much help at all. Good luck!

ORIGINAL: Mastiff

Any other suggestions?

Sex.    

 Thats my answer for everything..[]

Shannon, I had preclampsia with both my kids. On bedrest with both as well. What's your blood pressure been like? The pitocin isn't fun, it makes the contractions more severe and happen more rapidly than they would naturally. I had to have an emergency c-section with my first, then a planned c with the second. Be aware that preclampsia can worsen AFTER delivery . . .my first OB didn't explain this and it almost killed me. About 4 days after delivery I was still gaining weight due to the swelling (which was reaching up to my thighs by that point) and my blood pressure was 200 something over 100 and something. Very scary and very lucky I didn't have a stroke. If you don't already have a home bp monitor, I'd get one to keep a watch on it. Let me know if you have any questions!

Luckily my blood pressure hasn't been way too high. I'm normally 90 something over 60 (not sure) but it's been 130 over 90 something. I really should remember these things...
 
But it's just the combination of protein in the urine, bad swelling of the feet and ankles, and hands at night, and a little higher than normal blood pressure. I guess it's common to induce in this area if there's a little of everything showing signs of preeclampsia. I wouldn't have a clue, both pregnancies with the girls were completely normal.
 
The cod liver oil, and the walk must have done something. The contractions are starting up again, but who knows if they'll be the real thing this time.

Please keep a watch on the bp. Even though you haven't hit the 140/90 mark, some OB's consider anything in the 90's on the diastolic cause for watching. Also, I can't find it now, but I remember reading that you also have to take into consideration your normal bp and something about how many points over that that it's elevated, so given that you're normally 90 systolic even 130 is high for you. I don't want to overly alarm you, but preeclampsia is very serious and some OB's think mom's are just worry warts . . .like my first OB who was just amazed when I showed up in the ER almost a week after delivery with the 200/100 something BP and heart rate less than 50! And another of my ob's for my second kid told me it wasn't preeclampsia if it was beyond 4 days after delivery! I sure hope it's contractions and you can get it over with! Remember, watch your symptoms AFTER delivery, the pre in preeclampsia has nothing to do with when the baby comes.

I'm normally 90 something over 60 (not sure) but it's been 130 over 90 something. I really should remember these things...

 
That is quite a jump from your normal BP.  That would be considered high for you and that along with protein in your urine constitutes a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.  That is why you're doing a 24 hour urine sample, and that will tell them how severe you are.  I would be willing to bet you will be hospitalized at that point. 
 
Have they done bloodwork to check your liver enzymes??  If not, they will when you get to the hospital.  If labeled "pre-eclamptic" you more than likely will be started on magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures.  Once someone has a seizure, they are considered "eclamptic".  Pre-eclampsia is quite common, but needs to be treated appropriately.   I was pre-eclamptic with my twins, managed with mag. sulfate and then delivered.  I did just fine afterwards and had no complications.  The swelling went down on me in a few days.  But, everybody is different.
 
The "cure" for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby.  However, as mentioned above, you can still be at risk for a seizure post delivery even once home.   BP should be monitored.  We get occasional patients re-admitted for high BP's after delivery for mag. sulfate treatment. 
 
I have been an L&D nurse for 15 yrs., and work at a large university teaching hospital with a high risk clientele.  Therefore, if you have any questions I'd be happy to help if I can! 

Thats my answer for everything..

 
You and a gazillion other men!! []

ORIGINAL: Mastiff
Sex.  We tell people all the time to go home and have sex if they want to go into labor.  Triggers your natural hormones and can work if your body is ready. 

 
Finding someone willing to have sex with a woman who is 9 month pregnant might be a problem.  Not every man is as desperate as Mark.  []

I think it's the orgasm that triggers the hormones.  Man need not even be present.
 
Joyce

It doesn't work! But no, you don't need a man...
 
Just got back from the hospital. So far I have been in false labor for 5 days. Blood pressure has dropped a little, but I was too concerned not to go in this evening.
 
So now I wait.